In many Irish-American families, children sometimes used the familiar or informal “Da” for “father” or “Dad.” It would be pronounced like “Dad” without the final d, not “Dah” as in “la-di-da.” (We were not typical Irish-American; we were Irish-German-Bohemian.)

1957

Always he knew how to wear a traditional fedora. And knew how to tip his hat to a woman–or especially to a nun:1960

Without a doubt, one of the happiest of times–memoriesofatime–being told by me Da and me:

October 12, 1963

I don’t remember me da ever cursing or swearing. Really? Well, maybe once or twice on a delivery that went bad, he could have shared a bar of Lifebuoy soap with Ralphie. But I loved it when he exclaimed: “Are ye daft?”